St. Matthews Independence Day 5k Run/Walk 2026

River City Races is proud and excited to announce the 2026 Run the 502!

This year's edition will have fifteen races on the calendar (with the potential of adding more) to pick from. Enter a minimum of six races on the calendar and you will be eligible for the special Run the 502 medal.

For every race you finish, you will receive a bonus finisher's charm with each individual race logo on it to hang off your Run the 502 medal. Medal and charms will be available to each participant at the conclusion of the Run the 502 series on February 13th, the Snowman Shuffle.

Please note, you must be registered for the Run the 502 and enter at least six races on the calendar and you are eligible for the medal but only finishers of a race will receive a charm.

Below are the races included in this year's calendar and the Run the 502 medals will be available after Snowman Shuffle 4 Miler in February.

• Love Like Deana 5k - 4/11/26

• Fix ‘Em 5k* – 5/9/26

• The Parklands & WLKY 5k – 6/6/26

• Louisville Bats 5k – 6/13/26

• St. Matthews Independence Day 5k – 7/4/26

• Dr. Ed Morgan/Kiwanis Grand Slam 4 Mile – 7/18/26

• Jeffersontown Gaslight Festival 5k – 9/5/26

• Downtown Doubler 30k/15k/8k/4k* – 9/13/26

• Bark in the Park 5k Run/Walk – 9/19/26

• Welcome Home 5k - 10/3/2026

• Pupkin Spice 5k Run/Walk* – 10/31/26

• Reindeer Romp 4k Run/Walk* ** – 12/5/26

• Santa Sprint and Stroll 5k – 12/19/26

• Frostbite 5k Run/Walk* ** – 1/9/27

• Snowman Shuffle 4 Mile Run/Walk* ** – 2/13/27

*part of the River City Races Six Pack, the first 50 to register for the six River City Races owned events and save 10%, that's six races for $135! Click here for details and to register for six races.

(the three races on the Polar Bear Grand Prix will get credit for registering for the Polar Bear Grand Prix)

**part of the Polar Bear Grand Prix, receive and extra goodie when you register for the Polar Bear Grand Prix

This race is part of the River City Races Run the 502 series. Run six races on our calendar and get a Run the 502 Finisher Medal with charms of all the races finished. Click here for more details and to register for the Run the 502.

SAVE WITH A FAMILY OF FOUR REGISTRATION

Register a Family of Four and save $10 off the registration fee.

Join us Saturday morning, April 11th at Ashland Park in Clarksville, IN for the Love Like Deana 5k.

The Love Like Deana 5K is a run/walk with the purpose of honoring the victims of the Old National Bank shooting on April 10, 2023. Deana Eckert made her life about spreading love and positivity, and carrying on her love is the goal of this 5K. Come out for a day filled with community, positivity, love and celebration!

All profits from this year's 5K will be donated to the Alzheimer's Association, a charity close to Deana's heart after losing her mother to Dementia in 2021.

RACE ENTRY INCLUDES:

• Custom race shirt

• Finisher Medal

• Pre and post race massages from KORT Physical Therapy

• Door prize drawings

• Overall, master, grandmaster and age groups awards from Pacers and Racers

• Virtual option

• FREE FINISHER PHOTOS!

Special thanks to

Relays for Inclusion is more than a track meet—it’s a movement! This unified event brings together youth of all abilities to run, cheer, and rise together. From neurodiverse athletes to adaptive competitors and their peers, every participant is seen, supported, and celebrated.

Why It Matters?

Relays for Inclusion is a living example of what’s possible when we center equity, empathy, and joy. It’s a day where barriers fall, friendships form, and the track becomes a stage for courage, connection, and community pride.

Join us on the track. There’s a lane for everyone!

Start Time is 8 AM Sunday April 19th at Hogan's Fountain in Cherokee Park.

The Goatman Race is the first in a series of trail runs through Louisville's beautiful parks. This is a family and beginner friendly five mile run through the trails of Cherokee Park. We'll start at Hogan's Fountain and make our way around the park.

When you think of Kentucky Cryptids, particularly in the Louisville area, what is one of the most well known....GOATMAN! The Goatman is a cryptid who is said to be half-man, half-goat. Although his origins are unknown, the most popular origin story is that he had once been a scientist who worked at Beltsville Agriculture Research Center in Maryland, who experimented on goats. Unfortunately, during one of these experiments, he was mutated into a goat/human hybrid, and went insane. The Kentucky Goatman has a similar origin story who is said to have been a goat farmer who sold his soul to Satan in exchange for immortality or dark magic. As many stories have been told, the Kentucky Goatman lures his victims to the trestle bridge near Pope Lick often just before a train crosses the bridge leaving his victims 90 feet up on a 700 foot long bridge.*

*Please never trespass on the bridge in search of Goatman. Multiple untimely deaths as well as heavy fines and penalties for those who venture too far.

Awards

Each race will have awards for Overall Male / Female.

Series Awards

These awards are not strictly for the fastest. We will be recognizing the oldest to complete the entire series. youngest to complete the entire series, fastest to complete the entire series and likely a few fun other awards along the way. So you will want to try to get in on these fun awards.

Stay Hydrated & Stay Safe

This event is CUPLESS. Please bring your own water bottle, hydration pack, or cup.

Course Description

The Start/Finish line will be near Hogan's Fountain. Heading to the right onto the trail following the main 5 Mile Trail Loop.

LINK to Course Map

LINK to Course Preview Video

Packet Pick-Up

Packet pick-up will be on-site near Hogan's Fountain prior to race start. Please plan to pick-up your race packet with enough time to allow for pinning your bib before race start.

T-Shirts

Shirts for this series are an optional add-on. This keeps the cost of the race reasonable for families. We will have a limited number of shirts available for sale on race day. If you know you want a shirt, please pre-order during registration. Or use the link at the top of the page. Be sure to place your order by the first week of April!

Parking--ARRIVE EARLY & CARPOOL

We ask that you plan to arrive early for parking. Carpool as much as possible. Parking is limited at Hogan’s Fountain. We want to be respectful of the parks so we are able to have many more great events in the future. Carpooling is preferred to make space for everyone planning to participate. If you are planning to run with a friend, we encourage carpooling.

Water/Snacks

This event is CUPLESS. Please bring your own water bottle, hydration pack, or cup. Bottled Water will be available in limited supply. Water and pre packaged snacks will be available post race.

Virtual Option

If you plan to run any of the races virtually, sign up as in person and shoot us a quick email.

Every 5k equals the distance many walk daily for water.

Join us. Run or walk with purpose. Change lives.

Register today and help bring safe water to communities worldwide.

Registration Pricing & Deadlines

Register early and save! Prices increase as race day approaches.

• Early Bird - $25 through March 20

• Standard Registration - $30 March 21 - April 10

• Late Registration - $35 April 11 through Race day

Register early to lock in the lowest price and guarantee your race shirt size.

Why We Run

Join us at Lynn Family Stadium for the Steps for Safe Water 5k - a meaningful community

run/walk benefiting WaterStep and supporting access to safe water around the world.

This race is more than just miles on a course. It’s a show of solidarity with the millions of people

who walk every single day to access water for their families. On average, individuals travel more

than 3 miles just to collect water, and too often it still isn’t safe to drink.

When you run or walk this 5k, you are helping remove those barriers and bring sustainable safe

water solutions to communities that need them most.

Your registration helps support WaterStep’s mission to provide sustainable safe water,

sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions to communities around the world.

Packet Pick-up

6:30 AM on Sunday, April 19th at Lynn Family Stadium.

Parking

Everyone will park in the purple lot (350 Adams St.).

Race Shirts

Participants will receive an official Steps for Safe Water 5k race shirt while supplies last.

Register by April 5th to guarantee shirt sizes.

Meet Your Host: WaterStep

WaterStep is a Louisville based nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to safe water,

sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions worldwide.

For more than 30 years, WaterStep has equipped communities, schools, clinics, and disaster

response teams with sustainable tools and training that create lasting change.

When you participate in this 5k, you are supporting a local organization with global impact.

Register today and take steps toward safe water for all.

Start a Fundraiser

For those who would like to help WaterStep further their cause please consider participating in

the Peer 2 Peer Fundraising Opportunity at the link below:

https://www.justgiving.com/charity/edgeoutreachinc

Donate Page

Can’t Run? You Can Still Make a Difference!

Even if you're not lacing up for the Steps for Safe Water 5k on April 19th, 2026, at Lynn Family

Stadium, you can still be part of the movement.

Every single day, millions of people walk an average of 3 miles just to collect water, and too

often it isn’t safe to drink.

Your donation helps change that.

By giving today, you’re supporting WaterStep’s mission to provide sustainable safe water,

sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions to communities around the world. Your generosity

helps fund training, equipment, and long term solutions that empower local leaders to create

lasting change.

Your gift today turns into a meaningful impact!